Portable Shippable Facilities

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a portable shippable morgue system. The system may comprise (1) bottom, top and corner rails, and (2) corner fittings. Corner rails extend between bottom and top rails and connect them together to form a square and/or rectangular shaped frame. Bottom rails may include forklift engagement areas. Corner fittings are located at the connection point of the vertical corner rails and top rails. A top is positioned between the top rails and a bottom is positioned between the bottom rails. Vertically opposed end walls may be positioned between the top and bottom rails. The invention provides first and second spaced apart opposed vertical platforms, each in abutting engagement or engageable with a top rail and a bottom rail. The invention further provides a remains storage unit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to portable facilities, namely shippablefacilities that are portable via standardized shipping methodologies andexpand to provide full use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During times of war, soldiers and/or temporary deployment teams ofworkers/volunteers are sent into the areas without suitable facilities.These teams, often enlisted soldiers or national guardsman, arrive at awar and/or disaster site and are tasked with a variety of projects butmay first be required to build or otherwise deploy living facilities,such as showers and/or latrines often located a substantial geographicdistance from their home base, e.g., the distance between Iraq and theUnited States. Presently, these teams/soldiers set up tent structures ormore rigid structures on site. Teams must set up facilities includingthe running of utilities, e.g., water and electricity, to the newly setup structures, e.g., tents. Setting up the temporary structures isdifficult, time consuming and the resulting structures are notnecessarily ideal for the task given the war/disaster environment, e.g.,sand storms and/or floods, etc. Moreover, the structures are rarelyappropriately shipped back to a home base and are, therefore, destroyedor left on site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a portable facility system which can be easilyshipped to a site of deployment, quickly set into operation, withstandvarious harsh environments, and be easily shipped back for later use, ifdesired. The present invention, via various embodiments, meets one ormore or all of the above-noted needs.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a shippablefacility system of the present invention may comprise four or more,e.g., eight, horizontal bottom rails, four horizontal top rails, fourvertical corner rails, and at least four, preferably eight, cornerfittings. The corner rails may extend between ends of the bottom and toprails and may connect the top and bottom rails together to form a frame,e.g., a square and/or rectangular shaped frame. At least two of thebottom rails may include forklift engagement areas. The at least fourcorner fittings may be located at the connection point of the verticalcorner rails and top rails.

The shippable facility system, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, may also comprise a top connected to and/or positionedbetween the top rails, a bottom connected to and/or positioned betweenthe bottom rails, two vertically opposed end walls spaced apart andconnected to and/or positioned between the top and bottom, and at leastone platform engageable with a horizontal top rail and a horizontalbottom rail.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the shippablefacility systems of the present invention may include structure withinthe frame, e.g., at least one mechanical area may be located betweenportions of the top and bottom and positioned between an end wall and aset of corner rails. According to a further embodiment of the presentinvention, further internal structure is provided, e.g., dividers,internal walls, and/or interior compartments may extend from a portionof the bottom and an opposed portion of the top.

And according to still further embodiment, the present invention mayfurther include a refrigeration or cooling unit, e.g., located in amechanical area of the system. The refrigeration or cooling unit ispreferably in communication with the interior compartments for coolingor refrigerating said unit. The cooling or refrigeration system may alsocool a working area of the unit. Any interior compartments arepreferably adapted for retaining cooling provided by therefrigeration/cooling unit.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a new method isprovided for shipping portable facilities. The method may compriseproviding a shippable facility system, shipping the facility to adeployment location, setting the facility into operation, and shippingthe portable facility to a different location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the present inventionwith a platform in the vertical position;

FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of an embodiment of the present inventionwith a platform in the vertical position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the invention with aplatform in a vertical position;

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of an embodiment of the invention with aplatform in a vertical position;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the invention with aplatform in a vertical position;

FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of a platform lock of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a platform lock of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6C illustrates an embodiment of a platform lock of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6D illustrates an embodiment of a platform lock of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A illustrates a top platform extend/retract cylinder of anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates a top platform extend/retract cylinder of anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7C illustrates a top platform extend/retract cylinder of anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein aplatform is in a horizontal position;

FIG. 8B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein aplatform is in a horizontal position;

FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with aplatform removed for illustration purposes;

FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with aplatform removed for illustration purposes;

FIG. 10A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention includingdevices for levelling;

FIG. 10B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention includingdevices for levelling;

FIG. 11A illustrates, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, a track/retaining bar arrangement for attaching a soft wallor cover to a platform and frame;

FIG. 11B illustrates, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, a track/retaining bar arrangement for attaching a soft wallor cover to a platform and frame;

FIG. 12 illustrates, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention, a platform in horizontal position including a cover or softwall with support;

FIG. 13 illustrates, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention, an overview of a layout of an embodiment of a shippablefacility system; and

FIG. 14 illustrates, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention, an overview of a layout of an embodiment of a shippablefacility system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to portable facilities, preferably shippablefacilities e.g., portable facility 1, shippable via standardmethodologies. Preferably, the portable facility, according to oneembodiment of the invention, may comprise a frame structure, e.g., arectangular or a square shaped frame structure. For example, andpreferably according to an embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,the frame structure may comprise four top rails 2, four bottom rails 3(according to some embodiments eight bottom rails), and four end railsor corner rails 4. The top 2 and bottom rails 3 may be connectedtogether via the end or corner rails 4 extending between top rails 2 andbottom rails 3. The location at the juncture of the top rails 2 andend/corner rails 4 may preferably include standard corner fittings 5,e.g., as known in the art by persons of ordinary skill in the shippingcontainer industry. In addition, and preferably according to anembodiment, at the location of the juncture between the bottom rails 3and corner rails 4, there may exist corner fittings 5, e.g., as known inthe art by those of ordinary skill in the shipping container art.

According to an embodiment, rails 2, 3, 4 and corner fittings 5 of thepresent invention may preferably be manufactured and/or adapted so thatupon joining rails 2, 3, 4 together, along with internal structures,e.g., one or more of those identified in the Figures and discussedherein, the frame structure may pass an ISO certification, e.g.,Convention for Safe Containers (CSC). In addition, corner fittings 5 andthe locations of corner fittings 5, according to an embodiment, maypreferably meet standards for ISO containers, e.g., one or more of thosestandards mentioned herein, but not limited thereto and as well known inthe shipping container industry (e.g., ISO 668: 1988; 1496-1; 1161Series 1; 9000-9004, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.)Also and according to a specific embodiment, corner fittings 5 andcorner fitting locations of the frame may preferably comply withstandards for ISO containers, e.g., one or more of those mentionedand/or incorporated by reference herein, but not limited thereto. All ofthe well known standards for ISO containers are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

According to an embodiment, the present invention may include a toppositioned and/or attached within/to top rails 2 mentioned above. Anexample of a top useful in the practice of the present invention isdepicted in FIG. 5, numbered 6. Top 6 may be constructed to meet therequirements of the various shipping container standards, including butnot limited to standards for ISO containers e.g., one or more of thestandards specifically mentioned and/or incorporated by referenceherein.

Likewise, according to an embodiment, the present invention may includea bottom positioned and/or attached to/within bottom rails 3 mentionedabove. An example of a bottom useful in the practice of the presentinvention is depicted in FIG. 8A, numbered 7. Bottom 7 may beconstructed to meet the requirements of the various shipping containerstandards, including but not limited to standards for ISO containerse.g., one or more of those standards specifically mentioned and/orincorporated by reference herein.

According to an embodiment, the present invention may include one ormore, e.g., two walls. An example of a wall useful in the practice ofthe invention is depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B, numbered 8. Walls 8 maypreferably be located between and attached and/or positioned to/betweentop rails 2 and bottom rails 3. According to an embodiment, at least oneof the walls 8 may be located a distance removed from the corner rails4, leaving a space 9 open, e.g., for the placement of mechanical orother utility equipment to be placed outside the remains storage unit,but within the frame structure. In some embodiments, both walls 8 may belocated a distance removed from the corresponding corner rails 4. (See,e.g., FIGS. 9A and 9B.) In addition, as best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14,one of the mechanical areas may allow for the housed unit or units tofold or roll out of the frame structure, which may, depending upon theunit housed, be advantageous. The housed unit or units may, whendesired, be folded or rolled back into the frame structure to allow,e.g., shipping of the portable facility via standard methodologies.

While not required to practice the shippable facility system of thepresent invention, the invention may provide an ingress/egress 10 in oneend (or two ends) of the frame into, e.g., a mechanical area. (See,e.g., FIG. 4.) The mechanical area may also be left open. Ingress andegress, as noted, may also be located at both ends or in the side walls.The method of constructing the ingress/egress 10 is not necessarilyimportant and all means including hydraulic, hinged, pivotable doors,etc. may be utilized. Ingress/egress 10 may be provided in the softwall, e.g., as a zippered door and, if desired, with ramps. (See, e.g.,FIGS. 12-14.) In addition, the present invention, according to someembodiments, may provide ingress/egress ramps 10 (e.g., aluminum ramps)that may be stored at either end at the outer most area of themechanical area 9. (See, e.g., FIG. 4.) These ramps are useful, e.g.,for loading and unloading and may include hydraulics.

According to a further embodiment, the present invention may includeplatforms 11. (See, e.g., FIGS. 1, 3 and 8B.) Platforms 11 may beattached and/or positioned in abutting engagement or engageable with atop rail 2 and a bottom rail 3. Platforms 11 may be engaged in anyfashion that allows the frame to be used for its intended purpose, e.g.,to provide a shippable facility acceptable for standardized shippingmethods, e.g., according to one or more ISO standards as mentionedherein, but not limited thereto. Preferably, the platforms do not form astructural part of the frame, i.e., having the platforms attached andengaged may not be necessary for the frame to be suitable to pass an ISOcertification. Further, and preferably, while not required, securing ofthe platforms is not necessary to form a rigid structure, e.g., theframe, including one or more of the internal structures describedherein, e.g., frame internal walls, forms a rigid structure without theplatforms secured to the structure. Thus, securing the platforms to thestructure described herein does not form a rigid structure, thestructure is rigid before the platforms are secured in a verticalposition. The platforms 11 may be constructed in any fashion to meet apurpose of the invention, e.g., to provide a shippable facility system 1that is easily shipped via standard shipping methodologies.

At least one of the platforms 11 (or both or a portion of one or both)is (are) attached or may be engaged with the top and bottom such thatthe platform(s) 11 may be selectably positioned in an horizontalorientation generally perpendicular to a set of the corner rails 4and/or extending out from a bottom rail 3 to provide an additional areaand/or to provide easy and complete access to interior compartments orfacilities described more fully herein. (See, e.g., FIGS. 8A and 12-14,showing platforms 11 in horizontal positions.) According to oneembodiment, at least one of the platforms 11 may be pivotable oralternatively hinged generally from its lower portion to, e.g., thebottom rail 3 to allow the platform 11 to be placed, e.g., pivoted intoa horizontal position. (See, e.g., FIGS. 8A and 8B.) While multiplehinges may be utilized, a single continuous hinge as known in thecontainer art may also be utilized. Moreover, other means may beutilized to attach platforms 11 to the frame to allow for platforms 11to be placed into a horizontal position when desired. While the abovedescribed embodiment prefers to pivot or position an entire sideplatform in a horizontal position, only a portion of a side platform maybe placed in a horizontal position, with the other portion remaining ina vertical position.

According to one embodiment, the present invention may also includehydraulics, e.g., hydraulic actuators 12 and alternatively, e.g.,cylinders, to facilitate the placement of platforms 11 in a horizontalposition and/or return the platforms to a vertical position. Preferably,the present invention may include two cylinders 12 or actuators 12located and/or attached on/to either of the lower ends of platforms 11and attached to/on the bottom rail (or corner rail) to allow forhorizontal placement and/or positioning of platform 11. (See, e.g.,FIGS. 1, 3, and 6A.) While the use of two (2) actuators or alternativelyor combined with cylinders is preferred, one may also be utilized. Inaddition, other means, e.g., winch and cable or gas struts may beutilized to lower and/or raise platform 11 alone or in combination withthe cylinders and/or actuators. Note, however, depending upon the exactconstruction, the winch and wire rope or cable system may not bepreferred; for example, such a system may expose the cable to repeateddamage during raising and lowering and weaken the cable to the pointthat it breaks and becomes ineffective. It is further noted that gasstruts tend to sag in sub-zero weather. Consequently, hydraulicactuators 12 and/or cylinders, while not required, are preferred in thepractice of the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a positionableplatform 11 may be secured or locked in a vertical position via avariety of mechanisms. For example, a locking pin that is releasedduring deployment, a catch, a bolt, etc. may be utilized on one or bothside edges of the platform 11 to engage, e.g., one or both corner rails4. (See, e.g., FIG. 6.) The present invention may include a top catchcomprising a hydraulic platform extend/retract cylinder, e.g., as shownin FIG. 7. Of course, other methods known in the art may be utilized tosecure platform 11 in the vertical position, e.g., vertical bars withrotary latches similar to semi-truck trailers may be utilized, but arenot necessarily favored due to the time needed to open multiple latches.The methodology of attachment or securing is not necessarily importantas long as a purpose of the present invention is satisfied, e.g.,providing a portable shippable facility system 1 that may be shipped viastandard shipping protocols without a platform falling into a horizontalposition.

According to a still further embodiment, at least one of platforms 11includes a cover or soft wall 13 attached or attachable thereto so thatupon positioning of the platform 11 in a horizontal orientation—top,front and/or end soft walls are or may be formed to enclose a spacegenerally above horizontally positioned platform 11. (See, e.g., FIGS.12-14.) As can be appreciated, depending upon the contents of themechanical areas, the enclosed space formed by the attached softwall/top/sides may not necessarily include the mechanical areas. And, itshould be noted, that the mechanical areas may include an internalbarrier and thus, not be open to form part of the opening formed and/orthe enclosed space where soldiers/volunteers may reside, i.e., theenclosed space does not necessarily have to be open to the interior ofthe mechanical areas within the frame and in some instances preferablyis not. (See, e.g., FIGS. 9A and 9B and 12-14.) Thus, according to somepreferred embodiments, while the entire side platform may disengage tobe placed in a horizontal position, the opening formed in the side ofthe morgue may be considerably less than the framed area, e.g., aninterior compartment is exposed, and the mechanical areas may include abarrier to the enclosed space created by the attached softwalls/top/sides to provide relief to users from mechanical area noisesor exhausts, etc.

The cover or soft wall 13, according to an embodiment, may preferably becomprised of three layers sewn together; however, three layers are notrequired. (See, e.g., FIG. 15.) The outer layer, e.g., may be achemical/biological protective cover. For example, materials currentlyutilized on many types of military vehicle covers and tents may be used.The middle layer may be a foil covered bubble wrap material, e.g., thematerial marketed and sold as ASTROFOIL® and the like may be utilized.This material is commonly used in the housing industry (especially inthe southern US) as a radiant barrier on the underside of roof trussesto reflect solar heat. The inner layer of the cover or soft wall 13 ofthe present invention 1, according to an embodiment, may comprise apliable material, e.g., vinyl or a vinyl like material, that is notsubject to cracking or tearing at sub-zero temperatures.

The cover or soft wall 13 may comprise a single panel or portion thatforms the roof and front wall, whereas end walls 29 may preferably beclosed or attachable via zippers, hook and loop, or other fasteningmethods which may be unzipped or unfastened and folded down when thecover or soft wall is packed up and stowed for placing the platform in avertical secured position, e.g., for shipping. (See, e.g., FIG. 16.)Utilizing the soft wall attachment, e.g., zipping, methodology of thepresent invention, allows the soft wall or cover 13 to fold up into asmall area. While removable side soft walls or soft walls 29 whichdisengage from the front and/or roof of the cover are preferred, theyare not required; however, as noted, permanently attached side softwalls 29 require more area for storage when a platform is in a verticalready-for-shipping orientation. According to some embodiments, one ormore ingress/egress 10, e.g., zippered doors, may be formed in the frontor end walls of the cover or soft wall 13 as desired. (See, e.g., FIG.12).

A method of attaching the cover or soft wall 13 to platform 11 and toprail 2 is now described. Cover or soft wall 13 may be installed intracks 14 that are fabricated into platform 11 (or platforms) and toprail 2, corner rail 4 and bottom rails 3. (See, e.g., FIG. 11B.) Thetracks 14 may be secured with retaining bars 15 through slits, holes, oropenings 28 in the material of cover or soft wall 13. The material ofcover or soft wall 13 may be pushed down into the track 14 by aretaining bar 15, wherein, according to an embodiment, it forms a seal,preferably a weather-tight seal that does not necessarily requiresealant (however, sealant may be utilized if desired). In addition, theopenings in the material of the cover or soft wall 13 may allow formaterial tension adjustment during installation and after use, and allowfor field replacement. While the tracks/retaining bar system ispreferred, it is not required and other non-permanently or permanentlyattaching methodologies may be used.

As noted, other methods of attaching the cover or soft wall 13 to theframe may be utilized, for example, a portion or the entire bottom edgeof the cover or soft wall 13 (front wall and side wall portions) may bepermanently attached and sealed to the edge of platform 11, the verticaledges (or portions thereof) of the soft wall or cover end walls 29 maybe permanently attached, and sealed to the vertical corner rails 4 or aportion of the platform 11 that is stationary, and the edge of the roofor top of the soft wall or cover 13 (or portions thereof) may bepermanently attached and sealed to the top rail 2 or a portion of theplatform 11 that is stationary. However, such attachment methodologies,while suitable for a limited period of time, have been found to be lessdurable than the previously described adjustable track/bar attachmentmethod. For example, over time, the cover or soft wall 13 may stretchand in the latter method of attachment there are no means to adjust ortighten the cover or soft wall 13, whereas the track/bar method allowsfor such adjustment. Moreover, the latter method does not allow for thecover or soft wall 13 to be replaced in the field, whereas the track/barmethod allows on-the-ground-personnel to repair the shippable facilitysystem 1 of the present invention in the field. And where the end walls29 of the soft walls or cover 13 are permanently attached, the overallsystem must allocate more space for storage of the end wall materialwhen platforms 11 are positioned vertically, e.g., for shipping. Whilethe track/bar method is preferred, either attachment methodology may beutilized in the practice of the present invention.

A method for supporting the cover or soft wall 13 is now described.According to one embodiment, the present invention may utilize a lateralsupport bow 16 running the length of the cover or soft wall roof/frontwall junction. (See, e.g., FIG. 12.) The bow may include sidetelescoping support 26 segments to deploy and support the cover or softwall 13. Lateral bow 16 may be pivotably attached or attachable to theinside of the platform 11 or to bottom rail 13. In addition, supportmeans or a set of ropes, strips, poles or belts 17 (while not required)may be located on the exterior or top of the roof portion of the softwall or cover 13 that may be attached to the frame, e.g., the top rail 2and to the area around an upper region of lateral support bow 16 to,e.g., help support the roof 27 and prevent, e.g., rain from collectingthereon or snow substantially depressing the roof. According to thisembodiment of the invention, this system may be retained within the softwall or cover 13 and folds up when the platform 11 is folded up orplaced in a vertical position, e.g., for shipping.

In addition to the above described method of supporting the cover orsoft wall 13, other methods and means may be utilized. For example, theinterior of the cover or soft wall 13 may be adapted for receipt ofpoles (not shown) that can be assembled on site and attached to theframe (e.g., 2, 3, 4 and 5) or extending from the platform 11 to supportthe cover or soft wall 13. This method is not necessarily preferredbecause it requires storing the poles, assembling the poles, andattaching the poles once at a site. The previously described supportmethod/construction utilizing the lateral bow 16 allows for quick andeasy set up once on site. However, as noted, either or any method ofsupport may be utilized in the practice of the present invention.

As noted above, according to an embodiment of the invention and unlike astandard shipping container, the invention is not a hollow structure,but includes one or more internal walls to form mechanical areas 9 inthe front and/or rear of the frame and/or one or more interiorcompartments (and optionally a vestibule). (See, e.g., FIGS. 9A-9B.)Mechanical areas 9 may be utilized to house various equipment, tools,fuel, or may be utilized for storage. According to an embodiment, atleast one of the mechanical areas 9 may include cooling and/orrefrigeration units or other units, as well known in thecooling/refrigeration art, which cools or refrigerates an interiorcompartment 18 (described below). The type of cooling or refrigerationsystem is not necessarily important as long as the system performs itsintended purpose in relation to the shippable facility system 1 of thepresent invention. In addition to the cooling or refrigeration systems,other systems, for example, equipment related to hydraulics or ahydraulic system may be housed in front or rear mechanical areas 9.Likewise, basic utility equipment, e.g., water, electricity, and powergeneration equipment or hook-ups may be housed in mechanical areas 9.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedadditional structure within the framed area, i.e., an interiorcompartment which may comprise a plurality of modules or units. (SeeFIGS. 9A and 9B.) An example of an interior compartment is illustratedin FIG. 9A, numbered 18. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, interior compartment 18 may include modules 19 a and 19 bthat are adapted such that each may be used as a latrine and such that,if desired, heating or cooling can be maintained in modules 19 a, 19 band/or vestibule 8 to insure acceptable conditions for the users. Insome examples, modules 19 a and 19 b may be accessible from oppositesides and/or vestibules 8 (e.g., to provide a men's and a women'ssection). In some embodiments, individual doors, curtains and/or closuremeans (not shown) are provided for each module 19 a and 19 b. Whendesired, e.g., transportation is imminent and the distance to betraveled is short, modules 19 a and 19 b may be closed by platform 11when in its vertical position. In some embodiments, a sewage collectionsystem (not shown) may be provided to dispose of collected waste. Whileone embodiment has been described above, it should be understood thatthe portable shippable facility of the present invention does not haveto include a mechanical area 9 and/or equipment, etc. housed in amechanical area 9. For example, the portable shippable facility of thepresent invention may simply include engagement means, e.g., electrical,mechanical, water, and/or A/C connection points accessible from theoutside of the facility to provide services, e.g., electricity, water,cooled and/or heated air, to the inside of a portable shippable facilityof the present invention.

Another example of an interior compartment is illustrated in FIG. 9B,numbered 18. According to an embodiment of the present invention, theinterior compartment 18 may include modules 19 a and 19 b that areadapted such that each may be used as showers, etc. and such that, ifdesired, heating or cooling can be maintained in modules 19 a, 19 band/or vestibule 8 to insure acceptable conditions for the users. Insome examples, modules 19 a and 19 b may be accessible from oppositesides and/or vestibules 8 (e.g., to provide a men's and a women'ssection). In some embodiments, individual stalls having doors, curtainsand/or closure means (not shown) are provided for in each module 19 aand 19 b. While one embodiment has been described above, it should beunderstood that the portable shippable facility of the present inventiondoes not have to include a mechanical area 9 and/or equipment, etc.housed in a mechanical area 9. For example, the portable shippablefacility of the present invention may simply include engagement means,e.g., electrical, mechanical, water, and/or A/C connection pointsaccessible from the outside of the facility to provide services, e.g.,electricity, water, cooled and/or heated air, to the inside of aportable shippable facility of the present invention.

Modules 19, according to one example embodiment, may span the distancefrom the bottom of the frame to the top of the frame (see FIG. 9, e.g.);however, it is not necessary that the modules 19 utilize the entire areabetween the top and bottom of the frame (2, 3, 4 and 5). In addition,while not illustrated, the entire internal area of the frame may becomprised of interior compartments, e.g., modules 19. Modules 19 mayinclude insulation and other seals to help maintain desired temperatureswithin modules 19. And the entire enclosure may be insulated if desired,e.g., through the construction of end walls 8 and side walls 11, top 6,and bottom 7.

According to yet a further embodiment of the present portable shippablefacility system 1, there may be provided a vestibule, supply area orenclosed area 20 located between a wall and interior compartment 18spanning an area, e.g., between top 6 and bottom 7. (See, e.g., FIGS.9A, 9B and 14.) The vestibule 20 or area is provided, e.g., for storageor unit ingress/egress without disturbing users or occupants. Whileexamples are shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 14, it should be recognized thata vestibule 20 is not required to practice the present invention and maybe omitted, e.g., interior compartment 18 may be larger and vestibule 20reduced in size or eliminated in its entirety.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a shippable facilitysystem herein disclosed may include jacks 21, or other levelling means,attached or attachable to the frame, e.g., to each corner of the bottomof the frame to provide the means for levelling the portable morguesystem 1 once deployed. (See, e.g., FIGS. 10A, 10B and 14.) Any type ofjacks 21, or other levelling means, may be utilized as known in the artas long as they are capable of performing an intended function, e.g., toprovide a level floor for use of the shippable facility.

And while not required, the present invention may comprise supportstruts 22 (or additional levelling means) for use when the platforms 11are disengaged from the top rails 2 and placed into the working and/orhorizontal position. (See, e.g., FIGS. 1, 8A, and 14.) These supports22, e.g., metal adjustable poles Oacks may be used but are notpreferred), may be attached to the platform 11 or attachable to theplatform 11 at the time of deployment. As noted, levelling jacks engagedwith the platforms while serviceable are not preferred. Preferably,levelling jacks are used to level the frame and adjustable support polesare used to support and level the disengaged platforms in horizontalpositions. Trying to provide a level portable morgue system utilizingonly levelling or support means engaged with the disengaged horizontalplatforms is not necessarily preferred, but may be utilized. Attemptingto level the portable morgue system with jacks attached to thehorizontal platforms is not the most effective; providing leveling meansattached to the frame in conjunction with adjustable support polesattached to the platform has been found to be the most effective meansto provide a level facility.

To facilitate ease of transport and loading and unloading from atransport vehicle (if the shippable facility system of the presentinvention does not include wheels which according to another embodimentit may), the present invention, according to some embodiments (see,e.g., FIGS. 4 and 8A), may also include rollers 23 on one bottom end ofthe frame as is standard in the shipping container industry to allow forthe pulling of the container upon a truck bed or other transportationmeans. In addition, bottom rails 3 of the present invention may includefork lift engagement area 24 as known in the shipping containerindustry. (See, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 3.)

According to some embodiments of the shippable facility system 1 of thepresent invention, the frame may have the following dimensions: (1)about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet tall, and about 19 feet, 10 & ½ incheslong; and/or (2) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet, 6 inches tall, andabout 19 feet, 10 & ½ inches long; and/or (3) about 8 feet wide, about 8feet or 8 feet, 6 inches tall, and about 40 feet long, and/or (3) about8 feet wide, about 8 feet or 8 feet, 6 inches tall, and about 29 feet,11 & ¼ inches long, and/or (3) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet tall, andabout 9 feet, 9 & ¼ inches long. In addition, for each of the abovenoted sets of dimensions, the height may also be less than 8 feet.

The frame of the present invention may have dimensions other than thosementioned above; however, the frame's dimensions and construction arepreferably consistent with the standards and dimensions for shippingcontainers as now known in the shipping industry or as adopted in thefuture. For example, the shippable facility system 1 of the presentinvention may meet the present dimensions standards for ISO certifiedshipping containers including, but not limited to, the standarddimensions for ISO Series 1 AA, 1 A, 1 AX, 1BB, 1B, 1BX, 1 CC, 1C, 1CX,1D, and/or 1DX shipping containers as well known in the shippingcontainer industry.

1. A shippable facility system comprising: at least four horizontalbottom rails, four horizontal top rails, four vertical corner rails, andat least four corner fittings, the corner rails extending between endsof the bottom and top rails and connecting the top and bottom railstogether to form a frame, the corner fittings located at connectionpoints of the vertical corner rails and the top and bottom rails, a topconnected and positioned between the top rails; a bottom connected andpositioned between the bottom rails; at least two opposed vertical wallsspaced apart and connected and positioned between the top and bottomrails; and at least one platform engageable with a horizontal top railand engaged with a horizontal bottom rail; and at least one interiorcompartment extending from and connected to a portion of the bottom,top, or both.
 2. The shippable facility system according to claim 1,wherein the at least one platform is disengageable from the top railinto a horizontal position generally perpendicular to the corner rails.3. The shippable facility system according to claim 2, furthercomprising a second platform disengageable from a top rail into ahorizontal position.
 4. The shippable facility system according to claim1, further comprising at least one mechanical area.
 5. The shippablefacility system according to claim 2, wherein a cover portion extendsfrom the disengageable platform to the top rail and provides a front anda top when the platform is in a horizontal position.
 6. The shippablefacility system according to claim 2, further comprising a cylinderattached to and engaging the at least one disengageable platform toassist in lowering the platform into the horizontal position.
 7. Theshippable facility system according to claim 5, further comprising asupport frame attached to or extending from a platform or a bottom railto support the cover portion.
 8. The shippable facility system accordingto claim 7, further comprising a plurality of segments extending fromthe top rail and engaged with the cover and support frame for assistingin supporting the cover portion and support frame extending over theplatform.
 9. The shippable facility system according to claim 7, whereinthe support frame comprises a lateral bow.
 10. The shippable facilitysystem according to claim 5, further comprising cover end portions. 11.The shippable facility system according to claim 5, wherein the front ofthe cover portion includes a door.
 12. The shippable facility systemaccording to claim 5, further comprising tracks located around aninterior edge of the disengageable platform and on a top rail and on twocorner rails, wherein edges of the cover are installed in said tracksand secured therein.
 13. The shippable facility system according toclaim 5, wherein the cover comprises a roof and front wall portion, andtwo at least partially disengageable end wall portions.
 14. Theshippable facility system according to claim 12, wherein the edges ofthe cover are secured in the tracks by bars.
 15. The shippable facilitysystem according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the vertical cornerrails includes a locking pin or a catch for locking the disengageableplatform in a vertical position.
 16. The shippable facility systemaccording to claim 2, further comprising hydraulics in operativerelationship with the disengageable platform to facilitate raisingand/or lowering said platform into vertical and horizontal positions.17. The shippable facility system according to claim 5, wherein thecover comprises three layers, the layers including an outer layer, amiddle layer, and an inner layer.
 18. The shippable facility systemaccording to claim 17, wherein the outer layer is a protective layer.19. The shippable facility system according to claim 17, wherein themiddle layer includes a foil component.
 20. The shippable facilitysystem according to claim 17, wherein the inner layer is pliable andresists cracking and tearing at low temperatures.
 21. The shippablefacility system according to claim 1, further comprising at least onelevelling device attached to a bottom rail.
 22. The shippable facilitysystem according to claim 2, further comprising a latch mechanismconnected to the top rail and engageable with a platform in a verticalposition.
 23. The shippable facility system according to claim 3,further comprising two soft wall portions each extending from the insideof the platforms.
 24. The shippable facility system according to claim1, further comprising four levelling devices each attached and/orattachable to bottom rails.
 25. The shippable facility system accordingto claim 2, further comprising adjustable supports engaged or engageablewith the platforms for supporting the platform when in a disengagedhorizontal position.
 26. The shippable facility portion according toclaim 1, further comprising a vestibule area between one wall and the atleast one interior compartment.
 27. The shippable facility systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises the dimensionsselected from the group of dimensions consisting of (1) about 8 feetwide, about 8 feet tall, and about 19 feet, 10 & ½ inches long, (2)about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet, 6 inches tall, and about 19 feet, 10 &½ inches long, (3) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet or 8 feet, 6 inchestall, and about 40 feet long, (4) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet or 8feet, 6 inches tall, and about 29 feet, 11 & ¼ inches long, and (5)about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet tall, and about 9 feet, 9 & ¼ incheslong.
 28. The shippable facility system according to claim 2, whereinthe frame comprises the dimensions selected from the group of dimensionsconsisting of (1) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet tall, and about 19feet, 10 & ½ inches long, (2) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet, 6 inchestall, and about 19 feet, 10 & ½ inches long, (3) about 8 feet wide,about 8 feet or 8 feet, 6 inches tall, and about 40 feet long, (4) about8 feet wide, about 8 feet or 8 feet, 6 inches tall, and about 29 feet,11 & ¼ inches long, and (5) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet tall, andabout 9 feet, 9 & ¼ inches long.
 29. The shippable facility systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the frame comprises the dimensionsselected from the group of dimensions consisting of (1) about 8 feetwide, about 8 feet tall, and about 19 feet, 10 & ½ inches long, (2)about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet, 6 inches tall, and about 19 feet, 10 &½ inches long, (3) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet or 8 feet, 6 inchestall, and about 40 feet long, (4) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet or 8feet, 6 inches tall, and about 29 feet, 11 & ¼ inches long, and (5)about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet tall, and about 9 feet, 9 & ¼ incheslong.
 30. The shippable facility system according to claim 5, whereinthe frame comprises the dimensions selected from the group of dimensionsconsisting of (1) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet tall, and about 19feet, 10 & ½ inches long, (2) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet, 6 inchestall, and about 19 feet, 10 & ½ inches long, (3) about 8 feet wide,about 8 feet or 8 feet, 6 inches tall, and about 40 feet long, (4) about8 feet wide, about 8 feet or 8 feet, 6 inches tall, and about 29 feet,11 & ¼ inches long, and (5) about 8 feet wide, about 8 feet tall, andabout 9 feet, 9 & ¼ inches long.
 31. The shippable facility systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one interior compartmentincludes one or more shower stalls.
 32. The shippable facility systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the one or more interior compartmentsincludes one or more latrines.
 33. The shippable facility systemaccording to claim 5, further comprising two end wall portionsattachable to the top and front of the cover portions.
 34. The shippablefacility system according to claim 4, further comprising a cooling unitlocated in the mechanical area, the cooling unit operable to remove heatfrom the at least one interior compartment.
 35. A method for providingand deploying portable facilities comprising: providing a shippableportable facility system; shipping the facility to a remote location;deploying the facility by disengaging at least one platform from ahorizontal top rail of the portable facility system into a horizontalposition; and shipping the facility to a different location.